RSPCA inspectors have appealed for information after a concerning spate of cat shootings in Essex.
On 20 April, at around 11.30pm, Roger, a black 15 year-old cat, was shot and killed in an incident in Wick Road, Great Bentley.
CCTV showed the beloved family pet convulsing on the ground having been shot. The footage shows a lamping vehicle pull up with two people getting out, before one stamps on the cat, picks up the body and throws him into a field.
The incident was reported to the RSPCA and Essex Police, and police officers are now leading investigations. Anyone with any information should contact Pc Rebecca Hanlon at Clacton police station on 101.
RSPCA inspector Caroline Richardson-Braun is now investigating another incident in the area – just 16 miles away.
“I’m massively concerned that there have been three similar incidents in such a short space of time and in such close proximity to one another,” inspector Richardson-Braun said. “This seems to be becoming almost a weekly occurrence, all in villages around the Colchester area.”
She was called on 22 April to reports of an injured cat which the owner thought had been hit by a car in West Bergholt.
When vets operated on Alfie’s broken leg, they found a pellet and the incident was reported to the RSPCA as a possible shooting.
These incidents occurred just weeks after the animal welfare charity launched an investigation into an incident in Ardleigh, Colchester – just eight miles from West Bergholt – on 8 April.
Three-year-old Puss-Puss was found covered in blood near her home in Jubilee Lane and rushed to the vets where staff found with around 30 pellet wounds.
An x-ray revealed the black and white feline had suffered 30 separate pellet injuries. Miraculously, Puss-Puss survived but had to have an eye removed.
RSPCA inspector Adam Jones is investigating the incident. He said: “We were shocked to find that Puss-Puss was peppered with such an extraordinary number of pellet wounds all over her body and head.
“She would have been incredibly distressed and in a lot of pain and we want to do all we can to stop such a callous act happening again.”
Anyone with information on the incidents should contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
The RSPCA is a charity and we rely on public donations to exist. To assist our Inspectors in carrying out their vital work please text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).
Notes to editors
Please contact Essex Police press office for more information on Roger and for the CCTV footage.
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 07825 158490
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
-01.png){kind=spacer}